On Tuesday veteran outfielder Matt Diaz announced his retirement from baseball.
In a statement released by Diaz on his blog he wrote about his decision to retire.
This is a blog that I’ve known for a while I was going to write. I just didn’t officially decide to write it until last night. I’m moving on in my life from playing baseball. Notice, I didn’t say, I was done with baseball! How could anyone who loves the game ever “be done.” And certainly I love the game! I love the way it taught me to fail and get over it. I love the way it helped me become the man I am today. I love the way it’s provided for me and my family. There’s so much to love about this game. I just don’t love playing it anymore, and that’s how I know it’s time to not pursue a job playing this year.
Diaz carved out a pretty nice career as a bench and platoon player, mainly with Atlanta. He will finish his career with a .290/.338/.429 line with 45 home runs and 225 RBI in 736 career games.
Of course the best part of Diaz’s game was his ability to hit left handers. He ends his career with a .322/.363/.495 line against southpaws.
Diaz will be 36 in March.
